CANTON - Appearing in their first Ohio state football championship since 1977, the Wyoming High School Cowboys brought home Greater Cincinnati's only Ohio state title of the weekend with a 42-14 thrashing of Girard in the Division IV championship game.

Junior quarterback Evan Prater is already getting Division I looks and certainly helped his stock by running for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Through the air, he was 6-of-11 for 149 yards and two scores. Both passing touchdowns went to senior receiver Joey Edmonds, who closed out his Cowboys football career with four receptions for 94 yards and two visits to the end zone. Senior Pierson Rogers added 97 rugged yards.

"We knew what we could do (and) I think we showed all of the doubters what we could really do," Prater said. "Putting up those kinds of points against that team and holding that team to those kinds of points, that shows what we're really about at Wyoming."

The Cowboys finished 15-0, handing Girard just their second loss. The Wyoming defense also kept the Indians to a season-low 14 points. Girard had just 45 rushing yards and quarterback Mark Waid was 11-for-29 for 194 yards, one touchdown with two pivotal interceptions.

"The senior group has won more games than any in Wyoming's 100-year (football) history," Cowboys coach Aaron Hancock said. "They deserve it. I'm so proud to be able to send them out on top."

It's been 41 years since the Wyoming Cowboys returned a state trophy to Pendery Avenue. It was such a big deal, they eventually named the field for coach Bob Lewis. His successor, Bernie Barre, followed up with a career that got his name on the field at Bob Lewis Stadium.

So what of Aaron Hancock?

"I'm fired up!" Hancock said. "This is awesome! You've got to attack greatness. You can't go around and be scared to lose. We didn't come here to get runner-up. We came here to win the state. That's what we were going after. It was fantastic! We're taking it to them. I love it! I love the chance!"

With the stands full of families named Marty, Rogers, O' Gara, Prater and Edmonds and others you've heard for years, the Wyoming stands were bouncing in blue. A massive wave of horseshoes will be returning home Sunday to rejoice in the school's first title since the Carter Administration.

"For this group of seniors and for this team to do it, it means the world," Edmonds said. "We just have a lot of experience. It's not just on the football field. We're always together. It's a brotherhood. We love each other."

James Smith started the game on a good note for Wyoming by sacking Girard quarterback Mark Waid. The Cowboys wound up shutting down the Indians on fourth down on the opening series.

Wyoming quickly took the ball and scored when Evan Prater found a seam and raced 32 yards for the game's first points. Girard responded with a long drive culminated by a 5-yard touchdown run by senior Mark Waid to tie.

Wyoming's Perry McMichen (15) celebrates after awn interception during the first half of the OHSAA Division IV State Championship football game between Wyoming and Girard on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton. Albert Cesare/ The Enquirer

Wyoming's James Smith (52) celebrates with fans celebrate as they win the OHSAA Division IV State Championship football game between Wyoming and Girard on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton. Wyoming defeated Girard 42-14. Albert Cesare/ The Enquirer

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Before the quarter's end, Wyoming would get another crack with good field position. Hasan Black's sack of Waid would force a punt near the end zone to give the Cowboys great field position. Eight plays and a few minutes later, Cowboys coach Aaron Hancock rolled the dice on 4th and 13 from the Indians 16-yard line with Prater firing a strike to Joey Edmonds in the end zone. It was oddly the first target of Edmonds in the game.

"I try to make the most of it when my opportunities come," Edmonds said.

Midway through the second quarter, Prater and Edmonds hooked up again on a third and long to wrap up an 11-play 58-yard drive and put the Cowboys up two scores 21-7.

Waid and the Indians were quickly able to maneuver into Wyoming territory to close the gap, but Joey Edmonds picked off Waid at the 29-yard-line. Prater then came out firing to the hot hand, No. 13 Edmonds, connecting on a 55-yard bomb. From there, Prater pranced 8 yards to pay turf and a 28-7 lead that they took to the locker room.

Wyoming began to move again in the third quarter but stalled with a 4th and 2 on the Girard 44. Rather than go for it, Hancock took a delay of game and had Prater punt. The kick went to the 5-yard line, but Waid came right back hitting Nick Malito on a Division IV record 95-yard touchdown pass to get the Indians within two scores. The play covered more yards than Waid had thrown for all of the first half and it was 28-14.

Wyoming put the finishing touches on in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Brennan Pagan scored on his first carry of the game from 18 yards. Then with 6:19 left, Prater added a third rushing touchdown from a yard away for the convincing 42-14 lead. The Cowboys then commenced to drain the clock and began saddling up to their newest piece of hardware at midfield. Athletic Director Jan Wilking wisely had state championship t-shirts on stand-by that were efficiently distributed.

Now many of the same guys from this perfect pigskin season trade in their cleats for sneakers as basketball games start next Friday. That's how they roll in Wyoming.